Uttarakhand State excise policy approved, liquor will be cheaper from April 1

The cabinet meeting was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. In which the State’s Excise Policy 2023-24 was approved. After which now country and foreign liquor will become cheaper in the state. The government has taken this decision in view of liquor smuggling from Uttar Pradesh to Uttarakhand. The new excise policy will be implemented in the state from April 1.

Three proposals came in the meeting held at the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Auditorium of Vishwakarma Bhawan located in the secretariat. The first proposal in this was regarding the fitness fee for the vehicles plying in the Kosi and Gola rivers. The second proposal was to pass the maps of a single storey residence. While the third was of excise policy. All the three proposals got the approval of the cabinet.

Many new provisions have been made in the new excise policy of the state. Under this, the prices of liquor in Uttarakhand will now remain at par with Uttar Pradesh. There will not be a difference of more than Rs 20 on the prices of liquor brands as compared to Uttar Pradesh. This will curb liquor smuggling.

Key Points of Uttarakhand State Excise Policy 2023

• The new excise policy will be applicable for one year, last time the policy was made for two years.
• Liquor will not be more expensive than in Uttar Pradesh, earlier the difference was from Rs 150 to Rs 500.
• Old license holders have been given the right to operate shops.
• Those shops which the license holder does not want to run, will be auctioned.
• The provision of fine has been made for selling liquor at a higher price.
• If the complaint is found correct for the fifth time, the license of the shop will be cancelled.
• Bars and restaurants will buy liquor from local shops only.